London Underground drivers have been offered an enhanced pay deal that could see their salaries rise to around £80,000 a year by 2027, The Standard has learned.
The Transport for London (TfL) proposal, described as a “full and final offer”, was presented to the four Tube unions on Monday. It comes amid concerns that an earlier pay offer faced likely rejection by hardline members of the RMT union, risking further strike action across the capital.
Pay Offer Details: Minimum Increases and Inflation Protection
The new pay package maintains the same structure as TfL’s previous three-year proposal, offering annual pay rises in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI). However, it now includes guaranteed minimum increases to protect wages if inflation drops unexpectedly.
Key terms of TfL’s revised offer include:
- 2025/26: 3.4% increase (matching February 2025 RPI), backdated to April.
- 2026/27: Pay rise matching February 2026 RPI, with a minimum 3% guarantee.
- 2027/28: Increase of 0.2 points above February 2027 RPI, with a minimum 2.5% guarantee.
The offer applies to all 16,500 London Underground staff. For Tube drivers, it means a salary rise from £71,170 to at least £77,692 by April 2027, and potentially more if inflation remains high. Tube station staff, currently earning around £45,000, could see their pay climb closer to £50,000.
TfL Hopes to Avoid Further Tube Strikes
Although the proposal does not include a “no strike” clause, TfL officials hope its generous terms will discourage any union — including the RMT, Aslef, TSSA, and Unite — from balloting members for industrial action over pay during the deal’s three-year term.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord said:
“We hope the unions will accept and put the proposal to their members so we can reach an agreement as soon as possible.”
A TfL spokesperson added:
“This improved offer provides financial certainty for all Tube staff while remaining affordable. We urge our trade unions to allow their members to have their say.”
The RMT union confirmed it is reviewing the revised proposal, while Aslef, which represents most Tube drivers, is expected to recommend acceptance later this week.
Four-Day Week Still a Sticking Point
TfL has resisted union calls for a 32-hour, four-day working week, one of the key demands behind the RMT’s September strike, which caused widespread travel disruption. Tube station staff will continue to work 35 hours over five days, while discussions continue about implementing a 35-hour, four-day week for drivers.
The five-day strike in early September led to record-breaking demand for alternative transport — with the Elizabeth Line logging its busiest-ever day on September 11 (over a million journeys) and cycling numbers soaring across London.
Sadiq Khan Renews Plea for Transport Investment
The revised pay deal comes as London Mayor Sadiq Khan renewed calls for government funding to support major transport projects in the capital.
At a dinner for business leaders at the London Transport Museum, Khan urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to fund at least one of several proposed projects — including the DLR extension to Thamesmead, the Bakerloo Line extension to Lewisham, and the West London Orbital rail link.
“Extending the DLR to Thamesmead could support up to 30,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs,” Khan said. “Together with the Bakerloo line and West London Orbital projects, it could transform the future of London transport.”
